It’s crunch time. If you have holiday shopping left to do, you are not alone. The throngs of people at the malls and local shops are making the season bright for retailers of all kinds. If you are pinching pennies, it is likely that the gift recipients on your list also have the same concerns. Kiplinger provides us with some gift ideas that are thoughtful, and may actually save money for the loved ones on your list. Here are some of my favorites:

Movie-rental subscription Movie lover on your list? He could spend the night in with a new release rather than spend money at the box office or on DVD rentals and late fees. A subscription allows him to make a list, or queue, of the movies he'd like to see. The DVDs come right to the recipient's mailbox. They're sent one at a time, and after he returns each one, he'll soon receive the next movie on his list. Netflix imposes no limit to the number of movies you can get each month, and there are no late fees. Cost to you: $9 a month or $108 a year

A smarter power strip The U.S. Department of Energy says 75% of the electricity needed to run home appliances is consumed while they are shut off. With a "smart" power strip, such as the one from Gaiam, you can plug your main device (TV or computer) into the main-source plug. When the strip senses the gadget has been powered down, it blocks electricity to the peripherals (DVD player or printer, for example) you have plugged in. But the strip also has outlets that stay on all the time, for appliances you want at the ready. Cost: $39

Cooking classes Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day -- but teach a man to fish, and he'll save money. Cooking classes or seminars can be a way to cut your recipient's restaurant budget. Check community calendars for seminars, or look to chains such as Williams-Sonoma and Sur la Table for a schedule of seminars -- for example, the Sushi and Hand Roll Workshop at Sur la Table, a hands-on session, for about $90 (varies by location). And, of course, you get to eat the food you prepare during the sessions. Cost to you: varies

AAA membership In addition to a little extra peace of mind as you drive over the hills and through the woods, a AAA membership offers countless cost savings. Members are entitled to free tire changes, free delivery of gasoline for an empty tank (they pay only for the fuel) and other services. The AAA card can be presented for discounts off the road, too -- deals include 30% off at LensCrafters, 20% off at Best Western hotels and 10% off at Barnes & Noble. Cost to you: $64 a year

National Park visitor's pass For the adventurer or nature lover on your list, an America The Beautiful pass provides one full year of free admission at some of the country's greatest locations and parks. The pass admits the cardholder and one vehicle, plus up to three adults, free to any federally operated recreation site, such as Yellowstone National Park, which usually charges $25 per vehicle. Cost to you: $80 for a one-year pass

Warehouse-club membership A year's supply of frozen broccoli? You shouldn't have! Give a year's worth of savings on groceries, electronics, housewares and more at Costco, BJ's or Sam's Club. Cost to you: $40 - $50 for a year's membership

The perfect carry-on bag Nobody likes to pay baggage fees at the airport. (American Airlines, for instance, now charges $20 to check one bag.) Make sure your friends and family are making the most of their free carry-on space with the ultimate carry-on bag. Keep in mind that airlines each have their own size regulations -- American Airlines limits the size of a carry-on to 45 inches when length, width and height are added together. A carry-on bag without wheels will take up less space and allow more room inside. Soft sides will make it easier to stuff the bag in the overhead compartment. Cost to you: at your discretion

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Lead Shopping Blogger Angie Smith will hunt for deals and dish on the latest in retail in Ann Arbor. Readers will attain notices of great deals, and store happenings in and around the city. To report a news item or tip contact her at angieannarbor@gmail.com